Anaheim names new Convention Bureau chief

A 24-year convention and tourism expert from Texas was named Friday as president of the Anaheim Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Jay E. Burress succeeds Charles Ahlers, who is retiring after 20 years with the bureau.

Burress, an Oklahoma native, has served as president and chief executive of Experience Arlington, the convention and visitors bureau in Arlington, Texas, for four years.

He headed Arlington's convention and visitor operations when the city hosted the NBA All Star Game, Super Bowl XLV in 2011, two World Series and the move of the AT&T Cotton Bowl to Cowboys Stadium. Burress also established the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council.

From 1988 to 2008, Burress held a series of positions at the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. He has worked in executive positions in both convention sales and tourism sales. His experience includes international marketing, management of six representation offices and management of five regional sales offices.

Ahlers, who has been with the Convention Bureau since 1992, will continue as a special consultant through the first half of 2013.